Bead Soup Blog Party: THE BIG REVEAL SEQUEL!

Hello!  I'm so glad you could make it back!

Well, the laptop's still an expensive paperweight, so here I am on hubby's computer once more.  I took advantage of the beautiful sunny weather we had yesterday and put together a new photo shoot of my Bead Soup pieces, made with the beads lovingly chosen by Sue at Hello Gorgeous Design, my Bead Soup Partner for this round.  Y'know, I really like how these photos turned out - so much, that I had already replaced the photos on the 'prequel' post.  Check out this post to see what Sue had sent me and previously revealed pieces, and let's get to these beauties!

Desert Heart necklace.  This one was just waiting to happen, because I had this gold heart pendant for so long, waiting for the right inspiration.  I had purchased it as a necklace in a department clearance section a few months ago, and there was something about the odd symmetry of the heart shape itself.  The pendant was strung through a simple gold rope chain without any other embellishments; I would imagine it being worn in a 'multistrand' look with a few other pieces.  Well, the chain's still around here somewhere, and I'm sure I'll use that for something else, but I immediately saw everything come together as soon as these lemon honey jade nuggets and polished flourite in burnt orange were unwrapped from the tissue paper.  The clasp is left at the side of the necklace for easy access, the loop handmade from a brass headpin.  The gold tone bead holding the clasp is repurposed from a vintage necklace I bought at a thrift store.  The small fire agate bead that hangs inside the heart and faceted carnelian nugget are both from my own stash; gemstones bought from Earthworks, one of my favourite local bead stores.  Antiqued brass findings are used in the whole piece, adding to the aura of warmth the stones give in energy and colour.  Warm earth tones have always been a favourite of mine to use, and I was very lucky to have such a generous partner to spoil me with these delightful gems.  I'm going through a severe separation anxiety with this one, I love how this turned out so much.



And to complete the set ...

Desert Heart bracelet and Desert Rose earrings.  For those who have been following my blog for a while, you may recognize the large agate focal in the bracelet from this previous project.  The bracelet from this collection didn't prove to be very comfortable to wear, so I had dismantled it and saved those components for another 'rainy project day'.  The agate focal finally has a beautiful setting with repurposed gold tone beads from the same thrift store purchase mentioned above, and Sue's lemon honey jade nuggets and polished flourite nugget.  I saved the last two flouite and jade nuggets for matching earrings.  The earwires are also handmade from brass headpins.

Wait!  There's one more ... well, one more set!

Orion's Belt necklace and Orion earrings.  This was the very first set that I had made when I opened up Sue's bead packages.  I don't know what struck me about the particular combination of these white mosaic beads and dyed agate rings, but it seemed natural.  The necklace itself can hang in a number of different ways because of the asymmetrical placement and weight of the white mosaic beads.  The rings were drilled on either side, so I could wrap headpins through to suspend gunmetal chain from either side.  I handmade a jumpring large enough to fit around the agate ring and slipped a white mosaic bead through.  Matching earrings, too!  I've already worn them a few times with lots of compliments; very comfy to wear!  (I was concerned about the weight of the agate ring.)  An organic-industrial design concept, turning out quite nicely!

Phew!  Finally!  I'm very glad I got to share these with you after such a labour of love.  This was a really positive experience for me, after such a difficult February on so many levels.  I'd like to take the opportunity to give a great big virtual hug to every single person who left such positive feedback on these pieces, I was really touched to read every single glowing word left from your smiling avatars!  I haven't had a chance to make it to everyone's blog yet (I only wish I had a full day to sit down and see all of your creations!), and I'm just itching to finish the hop, because there's so much inspiration out there!

Sue, you're a glowing ball of light.  That light blinds people so, that they shield their eyes in awe of your wonderful spirit and how it illuminates hearts from even across oceans.  I do hope we remain friends and keep in touch; I would like to think this is the reason why events like this happen!  I do recommend you visit Sue at Hello Gorgeous Design and give her a warm 'hello!'  Just think - you could be the lucky person in August to be trading beads with her!

Thank you again, everyone - there's more beading to be done!  Don't forget about August - sign up for your own heapin' bowl of Bead Soup!